Leonard Heller, Secretary, Kentucky Cabinet for Human Resources, Petitioner v. Samuel Doe

Heller_v._Doe.pdf

Kentucky law lowered burden of proof in commitment proceedings and allowed other parties to speak. Majority (Kennedy) ruled that the statute was Constitutional under 14th amendment. Dissents (Blackmun and Souter) argue that the test failed rational basis review; Blackmun also arguing that the case warranted strict scrutiny.

Author(s): Kennedy, J.
Publication Date: June 24th, 1993